UoG Students Shortlisted for Prestigious Postgraduate Awards

Two postgraduate students from University of Gloucestershire have made the shortlists for international awards recognising academic quality and commitment to studies.

The Postgrad Awards 2025, which celebrate excellence in postgraduate education and research, have shortlisted Cathal Lynch for PhD Student of the Year and Sylvia Jellyman for Master’s Student of the Year.

Sylvia, Professional Development and Clinical Skills Lead for Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, focused her study on the experiences of newly qualified healthcare professionals, known as preceptees.

Aware of preceptees’ aspiration for academic and professional progression, Sylvia collaboratively wrote the unique ‘Preceptorship for Healthcare Practice’ module for the university’s MSc Advanced Professional Practice pathway.

Her work resulted in Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust being awarded the national preceptorship gold quality mark.

Sylvia said: “I felt very proud to be nominated for Master’s Student of the Year, and hearing that I have been shortlisted is just fantastic!”

Cathal Lynch’s PhD explores radicalisation and aims to understand current issues faced by Channel, the operational arm of Prevent, and the effectiveness of safeguarding approaches in addressing radicalisation.

Cathal commented: “I am absolutely delighted to be recognised and nominated alongside such prestigious company, representing the University and Gloucestershire and Social Workers far and wide.”

Alongside working in many different roles, including as a UoG Student Ambassador, safeguarding lead and unpaid carer, Cathal has presented his research at conferences across Europe.

Professor Angus Pryor, Executive Dean for Research at University of Gloucestershire, said: “I’m delighted that Cathal and Sylvia have been shortlisted for these awards. To be shortlisted alongside candidates from the likes of University of Cambridge indicates the calibre of their work – they should be exceptionally proud.

“Our growing postgraduate and research community plays an important role in the development of knowledge that benefits all our students, as well as the wider academic community. Sylvia and Cathal’s achievements provide a great opportunity to recognise that contribution.”

Behind Sylvia and Cathal’s success sits the excellent supervision that is integral to UoG’s flourishing research culture. Sylvia’s supervisor is Dr Liz Berragan and Cathal’s supervisors are Dr Stephen Cowden and Professor Ros Jennings.

Judging will take place in late July, with the winners being announced on Friday 5^th September.

Find out more about our postgraduate research programmes.